Welcome to the Family

RIKA

Reth looked suddenly nervous, and Rika was surprised. What would make this massive man so fragile? He took a deep breath, then looked up from the paper in his hands and looked first at Gar, then at Rika as he began to speak.

"I wish I'd had more time to think about this," he said quietly, his voice low and deep, smooth and filled with gravity. "Forgive me if my words stumble or seem ill-thought. I haven't prepared. But I'm grateful to the Creator for this opportunity before all of us walk into whatever He has planned for us in the coming weeks."

He blew out a breath and muttered something to himself about keeping it together. Rika found herself wanting to smile.